Inadequate Clean Linen Supply Affecting Resident Care and Comfort
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate clean linens, including towels, washcloths, bed pads, and fitted sheets, for residents on the first floor. A resident reported there were not enough towels and washcloths for residents to receive scheduled showers. Observation of the first-floor linen room showed only 14 bath towels and no washcloths, bed pads, or fitted sheets available, and a CNA confirmed this was the only clean linen storage area on that floor, stating staff would have to go to the laundry room to look for more. Observation of the laundry room revealed no dirty linens waiting to be washed, only one washer in use, and a limited supply of clean linens consisting of eight fitted sheets, eight bed pads, 12 towels, and 17 washcloths. The Housekeeping Supervisor stated he had recently put out 300 towels and many washcloths and verified that staff had reported there were not enough linens to provide resident care. He explained that some linens might be thrown away and that extra linens were often found left in resident rooms because CNAs took large amounts of linens to rooms and left unused items there. During a resident council meeting, two residents residing on the first floor reported that showers could not be completed at times due to a lack of towels and that there had been occasions when clean linens could not be placed on beds because there were no fitted sheets. One resident also reported receiving a fitted sheet that was supposed to be clean but was soiled and smelled of urine. Review of CNA Standards of Care and the Homelike Environment Policy showed expectations for showers, nail care, and linen changes, and for clean bed and bath linens in good condition, which were not met.
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